Interior Touch- UP paint

(It seems like forever since i've posted here, being a paid member since 01.lol. Does anyone remember the CL Fontana RACEWAY meet/special?)

For any/all of us is300ers,
My cd player broke, so rather then get gyped at the dealer i just swapped myself. In the process, i scratched some of the graphite like colored trim around the radio. (it goes from the top of the lil tray to around the stick) Anyone know of any paint or touch up thing i could use to conceal it better, rather than buy a whole new console trim?

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I let this go a couple days to see if we could get you a response from someone that may have done it on an IS, but since you've gotten no feedback...

My first thought was that Krylon's new Fusion paint (specifically made for plastic) might work, but I see on their website the colors they list, and graphite isn't one of them, nothing close to it really, so....

I can only suggest you try an automotive paint supply store, and ask them if they can mix you a pint of plastic/vinly paint according to the Lexus color code. I've done it with GM, Ford etc and it works great, if you degreae and prep well. It will all depend upon the paint supplier having the Lexus interior color mixing codes. That I do not know, but it's worth a try.

You'd need a compressed hobby air cannister to spray it, or an air brush or spray gun/compressor. Best of luck.

If the trim isn't textured, you can compound it and polish it just like paint. May want to try a swirl remover first, then move up to a light-cut compound (KIT Scratch -Out, Meg's Scratch X etc.) and as a last resort 3M fine cut rubbing compound, followed by the swirl remover to bring back the shine.

It primarily depends on if it's painted or if the graphite color is impregnated / molded clear through the piece (that's more common). You would have to try testing the swirl remover by lightly rubbing a part of the piece, and if it removes color, stop and live with it.

Somehow the graphite trim piece on the console of my IS also got a small chip. I have been searching the Internet for a touch up kit, but to no avail. If I can't find a DIY solution, then I am going to try the dealer. Sometimes they will do small things like this for no charge. There are also independent businesses that specialize in interior repair.